Carla Hayden named 'Library Lion' by New York Public Library

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, former director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, was named a "Library Lion" by the New York Public Library.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, former director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, was named a "Library Lion" by the New York Public Library.

(Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun)

Associated Press

Former Baltimorean and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has something in common with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists Michael Chabon and Colson Whitehead, former NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw, and theater director Robert Wilson: They have been cited by the New York Public Library as "Library Lions."

The library told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the five honorees would be formally celebrated at a gala on Nov. 6. Library Lions are chosen for their contributions to a better informed and more "thoughtful" society, especially through their efforts on behalf of culture, knowledge and new ideas.

Before becoming the first woman and African-American to lead the Library of Congress last year, Hayden was director of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library.

Baltimore Sun staff contributed to this article.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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